Exploring the Flavor of Chinese Sausage: The Journey of Lap Cheong

Chinese Sausage, often referred to as “lap cheong,” is a delightful blend of dried and cured sausages originating from China, crafted primarily with pork, pork fat, and occasionally chicken or duck liver. Rich in flavors, these sausages marry sweet and salty notes, enveloped in a dense, emulsified texture—truly a culinary gem. They measure approximately 6 inches, exhibiting a darker and thinner profile compared to typical Western sausages. The most common variety boasts flavorful pork, though varieties made from duck liver or beef also grace the selection.

Chinese sausage is now gaining traction in the West. As manufacturers embrace healthier options with reduced fat and sodium, standard pork sausages remain the more accessible choice. Every bite of lap cheong tells a story, with flavor profiles spanning from sweet to savory, deeply rooted in a tradition that dates back as far as 300 A.D.

The Cultural Experience of Chinese Sausage

If you've relished yang chow fried rice, you’ve already experienced the lusciousness of Chinese sausages. They are a staple in sautéed noodles and clay pot dishes, and I vividly recall my inaugural taste of this delicious sausage. Wrapped in a pillowy bun—a "lap cheong bun"—the first mouthful was a revelation. The melting fat dribbled down my chin, and my mother couldn’t help but wipe my face, a testament to the pure joy of flavor!

When you’re on a mission to pick up Chinese sausages at an Asian grocery store, be prepared to encounter a variety. There are short, thick, and thin options, with colors ranging from deep chocolate to muted red. The shape and hue indicate their diversity; thin, dark sausages often contain pork or duck liver, while the dull red ones speckled in white are typically made from pork and pork fat. Without English translations on labels, it’s wise to engage the retailer, ensuring you leave with the perfect selection.

How to Store Chinese Sausages

Dried Chinese sausages are packaged in vacuum-sealed containers—always check the expiration date first! When unopened, they don’t require refrigeration. Once you’ve unsealed the package and taken what you need, wrap the remaining sausages in cling film or, even better, vacuum-seal them for longevity.

Cooking Techniques for Culinary Delight

Cooking Chinese sausages can be as simple as slicing them and adding them to a rice cooker with raw rice. By the time your rice is fully cooked, the sausages will be perfect, infusing the rice with delightful flavors. These sausages can also be minced and tossed into stir-fries, providing a delicious boost to dishes like yang chow fried rice, congee, or as a standalone topping.

Easy Recipe for Fried Rice with Chinese Sausage

If your goal is a quick, scrumptious meal, fried rice featuring Chinese sausages is a fantastic choice. Just remember that in Suriname, this delicacy is known as 'hakka' and translated in local dialects as fatjong or fasjong. Many of the Chinese sausages sold in Canada, particularly from Ideal Food Industries or the Double Happiness Brand, are locally crafted right in Vancouver and Toronto.

Steaming Chinese sausage with sticky rice is another simple method, requiring just a steaming basket. You can also coil the sausages within the same pot or rice cooker as your rice!

In the Philippines, Chinese sausage spices up many dishes, including Chinese-Philippine specialties like siopao bola-bola, showcasing varying degrees of sweetness and dryness.

A Flavorful Journey with Ideal Food Industries

Growing up with the savory delights of Ideal Food Industries, coupled with visits to my favorite eateries like ChinaTown Claypot, has imbued me with a deep appreciation for Chinese sausage.

Chinese sausage stands as a marvel of culinary versatility, gracing dishes from fried rice to steamed buns. Its sweet essence and emulsified texture elevate any meal, making it a unique addition to your culinary repertoire.

Ready to explore the richness of Chinese sausage? To test the best Chinese sausage, shop online at Tecksangonline.com or visit us at 11 Hong Kong Street in Singapore!